Electron-discharge device



Aug. 9, 1927; 1,638,499

A.MAVROGENE ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE 2 Filed 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \i 1 ii 59 I 25 8Z9 53 U; 87 J 3 I 4 1 6 50 319 5? 50 //2 1/ 55: a. A, Q Y 52 I 49 I \NVENTOR fiflffigwamf 4 44? ATTORNEYS Aug. 9 1927.

- A. MAVROGENIS ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE Flled 5 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m V v m m M Patented Auz- -1 NI D 's Tss.

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Application fled January 2, 1628'. Serial 110. ram.

This. invention relates to electron discharge devices. 1

Inv electron discharge devices such as those used in wireless circuits, it has been the usual practice to energize the filaments from batteries and also to furnish the plate current 'from batteries, or else to auxiliary apparatus for rectifying a ternatrovide mg current and stepping, it either up or down. to supply the plate and the filament,

' respectively.

This invention is designed to rov'ide an electron discharge device whic requires.

neither batteries nor auxiliary rectifying devices for energizing its filament and plate, but which is; in itself complete, and may be directly connected to either alternating or direct current industrial supply mains without any auxiliary apparatus whatsoever,

and in certain forms of the invention, wit

out the use of transformers.

Further objects are to provide a unitaryelectron discharge device which is complete an objectionable hum, and in which the fil-- Y ament for heating certain-portions of the device is directly energized at the voltage of the industrial supply mains.

Further objects are to provide a'unitary electron discharge device having the characspaced from the outer shell 2. This inner acteristics noted above and yet in which the number of. filament supports is .materially reduced, in which a high degree of efliciency is attained, and which has a long life-and a low operating cost. Y Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view of the tube with 'tions broken away for clearness.

Figure -2 is an enlarged view partly in section of the'cathodes of .the' several de- -v1ces.

on the line 33 of Figure 1 Figure 4 is a'sectional view on the line 44.of Figure 1.'

- Figure 5 is a view of the wiring and'of the system associated with one type of tube which is described in this case as a. fiveprong tube.

por-

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view Figure 6 is 'a'similar view ofthe system and wiring associated with a. four-prong tube, such as that disclosed in Figure 1.

It is to be understood that the tubes disclosed in this case are intended for use either as amplifiers of radio or audio waves or as detectors, or in any other capacity in which the vacuum tube characteristics are desired.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 4, it will be seen that the tubecomprises ahi hly evacuated vessel 1 preferably of glass which continues downwardly to form an outer to form an inner shell or neck 3 closely neck is closed at its upper end and carries a transverse rectangular bridge piece 4 .which is formed as a unitary glass structeristics enumerated above, which may be ture with the remainin portion of the tube. used in a simplified wireless receiving set, The neck portion 2 o the tube is suitably and which will eliminate a large numberof cemented within a base portion indicated in the usual bus bars or wires employed in the dotted lines at 5 in Figure 4, and greferably set, thereby lessening the capacity due 1 to. such base portion extends across t e bottom 46 the wiring, and consequently lessening the of the tube and 'isapertured for the prongs distortion due to the'efiect of the wiring. of the tube in the usual manner,

Further objects are to provide. a novel The neck 3 of the tube is considerably form of electron discharge device in which larger in diameter than the'necks'. of the a single control may be employed to govern both the temperature of the filament and the voltage. impressed upon the plate of itsaudion part, so. that the maximum ease "and accuracy of adjustment may be readily at tained.

Further objects'are to provide a unitary electron discharge device having the charshank or shell 2 and then extends upwardly across the bottom, as stated, and thus seals the cavity within the neck '3 within which the condenser 6 is positionedr TlllS condenser is of rectangular construction and is preferably made up of alternate sheets of mica and metal foil, the-metal foil being indicated by the characters 7 and 8 'in Figure 4. These alternate sheets of metalfoil have their ends folded or pressed together, as in- I dicated respectivelyat Q'and 10, on opposite faces of the condenser. Preferably the edges of the condenser are beveled, as indicated at 11, to provide the maximum size of con-4 denser capable of being received withirrthe space provided by the neck 3. Each of these terminal portions of the condenser or compacted portions 9 and 10 are covered by sheets of mica 12, as shown in Figure 4, to prevent contact with the conductors and other portions of the apparatus which are ositioned within the space between the aces of the condenser and the inner wall of the neck portion 3, as brought out in Figure 4. Further, as brought out in such figure, a high resistance carbon or other b ock of material 13 is positioned in. one of these spaces, and its purpose will later be developed. The outer edges of'this resistance are protected by narrow. mica stri s 14 and wherever desired or needed, additional mica strips,'such as indicated at 15' in Fig-, ure 4;, may be employed to guard against short circuiting or inadvertent contact of the active parts of the device.

. f -All of the parts of the device contained within the evacuated vessel 1 are carried by the relatively heavy bridge piece 4 and their supports and terminals are sealed within this bridge piece as is apparent from an in- "spection of Figure 1.

One filament is employed for the entire device and is of suc'h resistance and size that it may be directly connected with the ordinary commercial supplymains, such as the alternating current mains. This filament is shown in greatest detail in Figure 2, and is indicated by the reference character 16. -Preferably, this filament is a small spiral arranged in a V-shape and supported at its upper end by means of the metal member or filament support 17. This, filament support 17 continues downwardly and has its terminal sealed in the bridge piece 4, as indicated in Figure 1. Each leg of the filament ispositioned within a quartz or porcequartz tubes are slipped the tungsten or, e upper ends of the quartz tubes 18 are slipped thelain tube 18, as developed in, greatest detail in Figure 2, and these quartz tubes are. provided with enlargements 19 intermediate their ends. Upon the lower 'ends of the nickel tubes 20 and 21 and upon th metal tubes 22 which are similarly formed of tungsten, nickel or other suitable metal J All of these tubes are thin and are prefer- -ing i The "au'dion'portion of. the apparatus has ably coated with a low electro'n afiinity ox de such as. barium, thorium, strontium, or. ca clum, for. nstance.

The tubes 22 are welded together at their contacting upper portions and are carried by a metal support and conductor 23 which is sealed in the bridge piece4, as shown in Figure l. The tube 20 is similarly carried by a :metal conductor 24= which extends at right angles and then downwardly and is sealed in the bridge piece 4. Similarly, the tube 21 is carried by a/metal sup ort and conductor 25 which also -is sealed in the bridge piece.

Thus. three heated-cathodes 20, 21 and 22' varying temperature.

uniform and un loyed as The cathodes 20 and 21 are surrounded by U-shaped metal plates 26 tively, which constitute the plates of the current 'limitin device and of the rectifier, res ectively. Tiese U-shaped platesare carrie by means of forkedsupports28 and 29,

and 27, respecwhich are equipped with downwardl extending members 30 and 31, respective y.

. It is to be noted'from reference to Figure 1 that the conductor 25 is joined to the conductor 30 by means of the shortconductor" 32 thus joining the cathode 21 of the recti er with the plate 26 of the current limitdevice.

its cathode formed by the tubes 22 which are surrounded by a plate 33 adjacent the upper portion of the apparatus. This plate is carried by supports 34 and 35, such supports being, of course, formed of metal and the lea ing to the plate of the audion. This support 35 is joined by means of the short conductor'36 to the cathode 20 of the current limiting device, so that the current from the limiting device the plate 33 of the audion. I The audion is provided with a grid .37

which is a helix of small wires wound about passes directly to the double supporting wires or rods 38 and '39, such double form of rods being employed to secure the requisite spacing of the grid with reference to the cathode 22 of the audion. These double wires continue downwardly as a single wire 39 on opposite sides of the tube, and such supporting wires or rods are bent outwardly and then inwardly to space them from the plates 26 and 27 of Ehe current limiting device and of the recti- 110 support 35 being utilized as the conductor r 1,esa,4o9 l One end of the filament 16 is connected to the plate 27 of the rectifier by means of an arm or conduct%' ber 42 sealed in the bridge piece 4. A conductor 43 leads from this terminal portion outwardly to the prong of the tube, such dicated in Figure 6.

prong being indicated in Figure 6 by the reference character 44. It is to be noted also from reference toFigures 1 and 6 that the conductor 43 is connected to the resistance 13 and to one side of the condenser 6, such points of connection being indicated in Fig-- ure 1 by the reference characters 45 and 46. A conductor 47 leads from the grid support 39 outwardly to a second prong of the tube indicated by the reference "character 47 in Figure 6. A conductor 48 leads outwardly from the cathodesupport 23 of the audion to the prong 49, indicated in- Figure 6.

A conductor leads outwardly from the support 31 for the plate 27 of the rectifier and from one terminal of the filament, as indicated in Figures 1 and 6. Such conductor is numbered 50 and leads to the outgoing prong 51, as indicated in Figure 6.

It is to be noted from reference to Figure 1 that the cathode 21 of the rectifier is connected to the plate 26- of the current limitin device, and these 7 members are connecte as shown in Figure 1', by means of the conductor 52 to -the one side of the condenser 6'. This connection is also diagrammatically in- It is to be noted further that a conductor 53, as shown in Figure 1, leads to one side of the resistance block 13. This is dia.

grammatically indicated in Figure 6. However, in the actual construction of this resistanee, a second conductor 54- is first soldered or otherwise secured to the upper end of the resistance 54, and the resistance is slipped into place. Thereafter, the conductor 5,3 is soldered or otherwise joined, as indicated at 55, to the lower end of the conductor 54. This mode of attachment which is followed throughout the construction of the tube, as is apparent from Figure 1, makes it possible to position the parts and finally to solder or otherwise secure the joints adjacent the bottom of the neck of the tube in a readily accessible position.

The tube, it will be seen, has four prongs, indicated in Figure 6 by the reference characters 44, 51, 47 and 49. It is, therefore, adapted for use in a four-prong socket with a vastsimplification of the wiring'of the set, as will be apparent from a consideration of Figure 6-.

Referring to this figure, it will be seen that the grid 37 is connected by means of one of the prongs to one end of the input sue for instance as one end of the secondary 56 of a transformer. The other end of the secondary is connected to the cathode 22 of the tube. Thus, differences of potential are induced by the radio or. audio signals between, the grid 37 and cathode 22 of the audion, and thus the control of current flow through the audion device is socured in response to the radio signal. The variation in current flow is transferred to other portions of the receiving set by means of the conductor 57 leading fromthe prong 49 of the cathode of the audion to one end of the primary 58 of a transformer. The other end of the primary 58 is connected to the conductor 59 which is connected through,

an adjustable resistance '60 to one of the mains 61. The other main 62 is connected to the prong 51 of the device, and thus supplies current to the plate 27 of the rectifier.

This current is alternating and the rectifier allows current to flow in one direction only, thus the current passing to the cathode 21' of the rectifying device and from thence to the anode 26 of the current limiting device from which it passes to the resistance 13 and fromthence to the other main 61, as is apparent from Figure 6.

It is to be noted that the condenser 6 is interposed between the conductor 43'and the conductor 32, and thus stores u energy and -supplies this energy during t e period of non-rectification for the reverse half waveof the alternating current.

The current limiting device smooths out any pulsations and supplies a unidirectional unvarying current to the resistance 13. The plate 33 of the audion is attached to any portion of the resistance 13 in the initial formation of the tube, depending upon the voltage desired In the form shown, it is attached to the end of the resistance. Thus, a constant voltage is impressed upon the audion plate 33, althoughinitially the current was obtained from alternating current. Thus there is no hum whatsoever in this device, and no variation or ulsation due to variations in the supply mains. Consequently, the device is quiet in operation although energized from alternating current.

Figure 5 illustrates an identically similar tube except for the fact that a prong 63 is provided .for the plate 27 of the rectifier and the conductor40 is dispensed with. The purpose of this fifth prong is to permit the impressing of a higher voltage upon the plate of the rectifier than that supplied by the mains 61 and 62. This is accomplished by connecting one end of the secondary 64 of a step-up transformer to the plate 27 of the rectifier. The other end of the secondary 64 is connectedto the main 61 by means of the conductor 65. Also one end of the primary 66 of this step-up transformer is connected to the main 61. The other end is J connected to the main 62.

It is tobe noted that in both forms invention the variable resistance 6.0 is positioned within the filament c1rcu1t and thus controls the current supphed the filament pling the tube .to the succeeding tube. Oonseiiuently, this resistance also vari es the votage impressed"upon the plate of the audion so that in one control a simultaneous control of both the plate voltage and of the filament current is obtained. v It is to be particularly noted that the device -is complete in itself and does not require auxiliary apparatus such as batter es or auxiilary rectifiers' and devices of this type. It is a single entity and the tube carries vWithin itself all of the necessary means for rectifying, for limiting the current, for

"ductors ordinarily used, have been supplying a constant voltage to the plate, and also contains a complete audion. Thus, it ,is a simple matter to connect the tube in acircuit, as shown either'in Figure 5 or Figure 6, and to operate the tube directly plates.

rectifier and the plate. of-the current limiting devicev are mounted opposite each other an that the plate 'of-the audion is mounted in axially Although the invention has been described A in considerable detail, 'such description is intended as illustrative rather than limItin as the invention may be variously emb ied andas the scope of :such invention is to be from alternating current industrial supply.

mains- It is to be, articularly noted that the circuits used wit 1 these tubes are vastly simpler than those in ordinary wirelessreceiving sets, as a number of bus bars or main coneiijnili- 'nated by the novel construction 'of the tube, as describer in detail.

Further, although the device is supplied from alternating current mains, nevertheless, as has been developed in detail above,

' limiting device are mounted very close to' there is no hum impressed upon the device, and consequently the device will bequiet in operation although, as stated, energized from commercial alternating current mains.

It is to be noted particularly from reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, that the tube is a highly practical-deviceand lends itself readily to ordinary manufacturing process.

so that no elaborate method need be evolved for the manufacture of this tube. This tube, therefore, may bemade; as stated, by ordinary processes, and without an excessive exp'ense, although it combines in itself a plurality of devices each cooperating and forming a unitary whole adapted for the novel use disclosed. 4

It is to be understood that the cathodes andplates of boththe rectifier and of the current each other, so that a minimum spacing and consequently,a minimum drop in voltage occurs at'each of these devices.

Further, it will be noted that the current limiting device arrives at the saturation point of its characteristic curve at a very low voltage.

determined as claimed.

1 claim; I I 1. A unitary electron discharge device including an evacuated vessel having a relatively large hollow neck, said device including an audion, a thermionic rectifier, and a thermionic currentlimiting device all mounted within the evacuated portion of said vessel, and a condenser cooperating with said rectifier and current limitin device and mpunted within the hollow nec of said ves se 2. A unitary electron discharge device including an evacuated vessel having a hol- 10w neck, an audion, a thermionic rectifier, and a thermionic current limiting device, all of such devices being mounted within said. evacuated vemel; said audion having a plate,

an equipotential cathode, a grid interposed between said cathode and plate, and a filament for heating said cathode; said rectifier and current limiting device each having a plate and a heated cathode; a conductor located within said vessel and connectin the cathode of the rectifier with the plate 0 said current limiting device, a second conductor located within said vessel and connecting the cathode of said current limiting device with the plate of said audion; a condenser and a resistance located within the neck of the' vesseland' cooperating with the rectifier and current limiting device.

and cathode, and a ment for heating said cathode, a grid inte osed between said plate cathode; said current limiting device and rectifier each havin a plate, an equipotential cathode and a I? cathode; a conductor located within said vessel and connecting the'plate of. said rectifier with the cathode of said current limiting device, and a second conductor located within said vessel and connecting the cathode of said current limiting device with'the plate of said audion, the plate of the rectifier and the plate of the current limiting device helament for heating said spaced relation to the ing -mounted plate of the au er two plates. 1

4. A. unitary electron discharge devlce comprising a vessel having an evacuated portion and a permanently secured hollow base, an audion and a thermionic rectifier mounted within the evacuated portion of said vessel, said rectifier being designed for supplying current to said audion, a condenser cooperating with said rectifier to smooth out pulsations in the supplied current, and a resistance brid ed around said audion, said condenser an said resistance bein permanently mounted within the said hollow base, said audion and rectifier having heaters, and

said base having externalterminals con-- nected to the audion .and rectifier and to-the heaters therefor, whereby said device constitutes a self-contained completeunit.

5. An electron discharge device comp'ris ing an envelope having an evacuated portion, a rectifier having an anode and a cathode, an audion having an anode, a cathode, and agrid, a heater for the cathode of said audion, one terminal of said heater being connected within said evacuated-portion to the anode of said rectifier, said rectifier cathode supplying current to sald audion anode, said rectifier and said audion being located within said evacuated portion, a-condenser having one terminal connected to the other terminal of saidheater and haying its second terminal connected to the sad rectifier, said-condenser being enclosed by said envelope 1 6. An electron ing an evacuated vessel enclosing a rectifier and an audion, "said rectifier having an anode and a cathode, and saidaudion having an anode, a cathode, and a grid, a heater for thecathode of said rectifier and the cathode of said audion, said vessel having a conductor leading outwardly therefrom and connectedto the anode of said rectifierand one terminal of said heater, and having a second conductor leading therefrom con nected to the other terminal of said heater, and having a third conductor leading therefrom and connected to the cathode of said audion and having a fourth conductor leading'therefrom and connected to said grid, and means for smoothing out the pulsations of current from said rectifier.

7 A unitary electron discharge device in-' cluding an evacuated vessel havinga relatively large hollow neck, said device including an audion, a thermionic rectifier and a current limiting device all mounted within the evacuated portion of said vessel, a condenser cooperating with said rectifier and current limiting device and a resistance bridged around said audion, both condenser and resistance located within the neck of the vessel, and a base surrounding and permao posite each other, and the d ion beinfilmounted in axially- .audion plate current and connected to discharge device comprisand a cathode, and said audion anode, a cathode, and a grid, a heater .for

'nently secured to said hollow of the "vesse and having prongs. extending from said base for connecting the various ele- I ments of said device.

8. A unitary electron discharge-device inclu'din an evacuated vessel having a relatively large hollow neck, said device including an audion, a thermionic rectifier and a current limiting device all mounted within the evacuated portion of said vessel a condenser cooperating withtsaid rectifier and current limiting device and a resistance bridged around said audion, both condenser and resistance located within the neck of the vessel, and a base surrounding and per-- manently secured to said hollow neck of the' vessel and having prongs extending from said base for connecting the various elements of said device, one of said prongs being connected to the grid of the aud1on,'a second prong being connected to-the cathode of said audion, a third of said prongs being connected to the plate of said rectifier and to one terminal of said heater and a fourth of said prongs being a lead-in conductor for both the said heater current and for said the other end of said heater.

9. An electron discharge device comprising an evacuated vessel enclosing an audion having a plate, an equipotential cathode and an interposed grid, and enclosing a rectifier having a plate and a cathode, heating means for said equipotential cathode of theaudion electrically distinct and separate from said equipotential cathode of said audion, said rectifier supplying current to said audion, and means for smoothing out pulsations in the rectified current, said heating having only a single duty of heating said cathode of the audion, and said cathode of the audion having only a single duty of emitting electrons.

10. An electron discharge device comprising an evacuated vessel enclosing a rectifier and an-audion, said rectifier havin an anode avlng an the cathode of said audion, said vessel having a conductor leadin outwardly theremeans from and connected to t e .anode of said rec-I tifier and one terminal of said heater, andhaving a second conductor leadin therefromconnected to the other terminal 0 said heater,

and having a third conductor leading there- 'from and connected to the cathode of said of saidf-eudion, said rectifier being designed nected alc ltossfs aid heater, said condenser'hefor supplying current to said al'uhon-anocle,v ingenclosed by-seid envelope. v saidrectifief and said audipn beinglo'cated In testimony that I claim the foregoing" 4 within said evacuated portion, smoothing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee ;means having a condenser, said smoothing in the county of Milwaukee and State of means beingconnected tosaid rectifier, said Visconsin. T I I 7 smoothing means and rectifier being con Y ARISTOTE MAVROGENIS. 

